Gov. Brown halts state promotional products

KABC

California Gov. Jerry Brown at the 2011 State of the State address.

February 18, 2011 12:00:00 AM PST

SACRAMENTO --

Per Calif. Governor Jerry Brown: No more "swag bags" in Sacramento.

Brown says he's ordered state agencies to stop buying "collector's items" like California coffee mugs, flashlights, bumper stickers, water bottles and other items known as "swag" or "stuff we all get."

The governor says putting an end to tchotchke giveaways will save about $7.5 million.

"Having these plastic doodads or whatever they are, we don't need them. They cost millions of dollars. We don't need that stuff," said Brown.

Brown has already ordered a hiring freeze and cut back on state cell phones and vehicles as part of his effort to curb spending.